Lars Barfoed, Denmark's minister for family and consumer affairs, concluded negotiations that would see China importing more pork through increased recognition of its slaughterhouses.

Speaking in Beijing, Barfoed said that the main purpose of the trip had been to gain better access for Danish pork to the Chinese market. Previously, few Danish slaughterhouses had been approved exporters to China. Now, Denmark and China has forged an agreement where there is new recognition for all Danish slaughterhouses and coldstore warehouses, said Barfoed.

China, the world's largest pork producer and consumer, currently accounts for only 2.3 per cent of Danish pig exports. However, it is regarded as a market with huge potential as rising incomes in the country enable consumers to spend more on meat.

China is particularly attractive because Chinese consumers are much more receptive to parts which are less popular in Europe due to different cultural preferences. In fact, Denmark only exported 2,789 tonnes of cut to China in 2005 but 40,466 tonnes of byproducts.

He added that Denmark would look into how pig byproducts popular in China such as pig stomach, feet and other parts should be processed for the Chinese market to expand exports.